New York Magazine and Nudity

I read an interesting article in the Nov. 12 issue of New York Magazine this morning about Brooke Astor's son. It covered the lives of this wealthy family and the passing of the matriarch (as it were, since she is not an Astor by blood). Her son has been charged with plundering her considerable wealth -- $198 million -- before her death. The NY Mag article left me with an array of feelings and opinions that I will spare you from, but it is a good read if you are interested in the social scene of wealthy New York.

I wasn't really sure what my focus would be today. I kind of flitted around, then thought to check out what's new on the New York Magazine website. The article below captured my interest.

We don't watch Project Runway, however, it seems everyone else does. Of course, I was interested in a popular TV personality baring it all :)

And speaking of baring it all... The latest issue of N Magazine is on the newsstands (or will be soon). My mom tells me that the article Mike and I authored about the Ledges in Vermont begins on page 93. We'll probably get our issue next week. We're looking forward to seeing the results of the photo shoot we did with N photographer Michael Cooney back in July.

Toodle-lo!

Final Week of November

Can you believe this is the last week of November? OMG!!! We sure had a busy and productive weekend. We were out bright and early Saturday morning raking leaves in 27 degree weather. Mike was trying to blow them with his backpack blower and they were stuck to the ground!!!

After we thawed out from that task, we ran over to Macys so I could pick up another pair of the Hush Puppies, Elaine style -- this time in black leather. I got a great deal of $55 :) We met Deirdre, the kids, and Pat at Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury for Pat's birthday celebration. The food was yummy as it always is. I enjoyed lobster bisque and crab cakes -- and I ate way too much! We had cake and presents at Deirdre's house afterwards. It was very nice. We stopped at the Natick Collection (the fancy name for the totally revamped and expanded Natick Mall). It was really fancy. Fun to walk around, lots of stores, and very classy.

I had a bit of entertainment when we got home (it takes so little to amuse me) when Mattie decided to play in my Macys sack. I had the camera there and got some photos (right). He was having a blast! I got a real kick of him.

I continued what I was doing, and he went back to his bath. Next thing I knew, he was back in the bag again. I had the camera near by and got some video (I know, I have no life!), which you can see below.


After Mike caught my sad entertainment, I thought it wise to join him and act my age. We watched V is for Vendetta and really enjoyed it.

Sunday was a busy day for us, as well. We brought the last of the items in from the yard that are stored over winter and got the lawnmowers put away. We did a final run on the leaves and the yard looked great. Then the wind blew... We took a ride to Ellsworth Tree Farm and got our Christmas tree then headed to Lowes for outside lights and bird food. I was inspired by the Turkey Stroganoff recipe on Simply Recipes and made it for dinner. It was fabulous. I love stroganoff anyway, and this was a nice way to use more of our leftover turkey. We spent the rest of the evening flipping between the Amazing Race and the Patriots/Eagles game. I think this season of the Amazing Race is pretty lame. The football game, however, was very good. We stayed up through the end of the 3rd quarter when the Patriots were down by 4. What a nice -- way too close -- score to wake up to this morning with the Pats on top 31-28.

Now that you know what I did minute-by-minute this weekend, I will let you resume your much more exciting life. Toodles!

Back to Work

Thanksgiving turned out to be a huge success for us! The meal turned out great and we so much fun spending the day with the family. But... in the bustle of cooking, we forgot to take pictures! Mike got a couple of the kids after the meal so I may have those for later. What can you do?!

We are back to work today. I've done a small bit of shopping. So far, exactly one gift for Mike. I really do have to get to the stores for him this year. That'll -- hopefully -- be next week.

Have a super day!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! It is almost 10 am. We put the turkey in the oven a couple of hours ago. Our food is all lined up and ready to go. We've even showered. Whew! Did I say it is only 10 am :) Below is a photo of our table, all set for the meal.


We'll try to write more later today and include some pictures. Today is also Connor and Fiona's birthday!

Gone Baby Gone

In all of my ramblings yesterday, I forgot to tell you that we saw Gone Baby Gone on Friday night. We really liked it. About the movie (from Miramax):

“Gone Baby Gone” is Ben Affleck’s directorial debut and is based on the novel from the acclaimed author of “Mystic River.” It is an intense look inside an ongoing investigation about the mysterious disappearance of a little girl. Two young private detectives (Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) are hired to take a closer look at the case and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything — their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives — to find a little girl-lost. The film also stars Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) and Academy Award Nominee Ed Harris (“Pollack”).

I think movie-goers will have polarized reactions to the film. Some will find the actions of the main character, Patrick Kenzie, to be moral and right. Others will find his actions deplorable. I can't imagine an in-between. The acting and directing in the film were fantastic. Casey Affleck carried the role of Patrick Kenzie off very well. Ben Affleck shows us a side of Boston that many don't see. It seems to be one of the seedier parts of Dorchester.

I read this book in May, 2006 after hearing the movie was in production. As with Lehane's other novels, it is a somewhat difficult read. I think the movie does a nice job of recovering that and really sticks to the story line. I hope this one gets some awards.

I've included the trailer below.

Fall Cleaning

Here we are, with another Monday to look forward to! Mike and I had a very productive weekend. We did a bit of shopping. I got a couple new sweaters, a cute skirt from American Eagle, and fab pair of Hush Puppies boots. We made up for the shopping spree on Sunday by working out butts off. Ok, I just checked and my butt is still there. It just felt like we worked our butts off.

What was supposed be a cleaning binge to prepare for Thanksgiving turned out to be a good Fall cleaning that no one but us will appreciate. We went to town de-cluttering the mud room. Then we decided to steam clean the rug back there. Since it is the only carpet we have in the entire house, we figured it would be worth it. Mike went over every inch a couple of times and it looks so much better. The refrigerator and stove got thoroughly cleaned, too. Everything is sparkly for our guest of honor Tom (the Turkey). Mike did his magic on the bathroom -- thank God he is such a good honey -- which also looks much better.

We got the carpet pads down under the area rugs in the living room. Though it seems like that should be easy, we had to move all the furniture from one side of the room to the other so we could lift the rug, put the pad down, and trim it. Then the furniture went back and we repeated the process for the other side of the room. It is good to have all that done...

After all that, we did the food shopping rounds. I am so glad we hit the store yesterday. The herbs were thinning out and we got one of the last vanilla ice creams! We should be pretty well prepared for the big day.

Tonight will be mopping the floors. This much-needed task will leave me tired but it is worth it.

I am thinking this post is a little hum drum, but I suppose they can't all be exciting...

Oh, hey! There is more! We signed up for Second Life accounts on Saturday. It was pretty interesting. I am Svelte Svenska and Mike is Mikhe Svenska... We are still learning how to manipulate our avatars, but don't plan for this to be a nightly thing. Famous last words, huh?

Toodles!

Organize Your Yummies!

I have to admit, I have been quite addicted to my Google News Reader. Just what I needed, another addiction :) One of the many feeds I am subscribed to, Mighty Goods (shopping), featured the TasteBook yesterday. It didn't just catch my interest, it reached out and grabbed my interest and drug me along for the ride.

This is such a great idea... Taste Book allows you to create your own hardcover recipe book with your own favorite recipes. Love Grandma's torte? Put it in! What about the great recipe from the Joy of Cooking... Paula Deen... the Mom from play group... Add them, too! For $34.95 you get the printed book with 100 professionally printed recipes of your choice. You can order them all at one or in batches. The book is a binder, so you can add recipes at will, reorganize them in their tabs, even take them to the grocery store. The book is meant to allow for sharing, so you can make a group recipe book to share, or just share your recipes with friends. Have an Epicurious account? TasteBook allows you to import recipes from your Epicurious recipe box. You can even add recipes from the thousands found in Bon Apetit and Gourmet magazines.


I'm lovin' this... And, Michael, this is a Christmas hint ;)

Chocolate & Zucchini

I came across a great site, Chocolate & Zucchini, in my internet travels (many thanks to Simply Recipes). The woman who authors it, Clotilde Dusoulier, is a lot of fun and her food looks so yummy. I just received her cookbook of the same name. If I could eat the pictures, I would!!! I can't wait to try out some recipes... I'll keep you posted!


I'm short on time and have to run... Have a super day!

Everyone loves a Teddy!

...That's Teddy as in Teddy Bear, not nighttime wear, for those of you adults that have wandering minds!

I had no clue what I would ramble about today, but thanks again to Brownie Locks and the Three Bears, I found out that today is National American Teddy Bear Day! Everyone loves a teddy bear. They are so soft and cuddly and remind you of being a little kid. Or a big kid that still has teddy bears (me)...

Toy bears are a longtime favorite of children around the world. They were not called Teddy Bears until the reign of President Theodore Roosevelt (we all know this story, right?). He was on a hunting trip to Mississippi with several of his friends and other hunters. His friends had treed and American Black Bear and wanted to shoot it. Roosevelt deemed such an act as un-sportsmanlike and refused to kill the bear. His actions resulted in a political cartoon (above right). A Brooklyn store owner saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a new toy. I'd say it was a huge success!

Let's celebrate today with a big hug to Teddy and everyone one who loves a Teddy!

Smiles

World Diabetes Day

Just added... It is also World Diabetes Day. From dLife:

The International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day back in 1991, but this year’s observance has a special significance – it is the first time the event will also be officially observed by the United Nations and its member countries. Today in Manhattan, thousands will form a human blue circle in front of the United Nations, walk down 1st Avenue, and then join a diabetes education rally featuring American Idol’s Elliott Yamin and other performers. This evening, the Empire State Building will be one of 120 landmarks around the globe that will light up in blue to mark the day. dLife Medical Advisory Board member and noted endocrinologist Dr. Francine Kaufman chairs the IDF’s section on childhood and adolescent diabetes, which is the theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day campaign.

Why November 14th? It’s the birth date of Frederick Banting, one of the discoverers of insulin.

Uh Oh, Mattie!

Poor little Mattie leads such a tough life. At least in his eyes :) He is restricted in where he can plop down (the new furniture is out and so is our bed). Being a cat, he pretends to follow our rules, until we turn our backs, of course. One of his favorite spots is our bed. As you can see, I recently caught him. I took this picture as I told him "Daddy is coming, you better move!"

I helped him relocate to the laundry basket. I thought that would be ok, the clothes are already dirty. How much dirtier can they get? Mike was a bit less enthusiastic, but he let it slide. Mattie's reaction is pretty self explanatory, eh?

I See You!

Our friends Todd and Carolyn recently told us, "We found a great product!" Now, Todd and Carolyn rarely give us product placement ads -- actually, I think this was THE first -- so we really took note. They discovered an auto glass cleaner, Invisible Glass Cleaner, that is great for around the house. They got it at Sam's Club. We aren't members there, so we picked ours up at Walmart (less than $4, automotive dept). The manufacturer's instructions suggest using a cloth with no lint [or newspaper]; we got a bag of microfiber rags for under $5. In hindsight we would use a slightly higher quality rag. The bag of rags left a tiny bit of lint. My mom gave us some great ones and I will use those on the next round.

Connor and Fiona had been visiting and I wanted to clean their prints from the glass cocktail table. Isn't it funny how toddlers are attracted to clean glass like bees are to flowers?! The cocktail table came out great. Mike thought, "Hmmm... What if we try this on the windows?" What a great time saver! Our windows look like a million bucks. It was quick and easy and No Streaks!!! Windex always leaves streaks...

I took this photo this morning. Sorry about the lighting. Looks to be another grey day in New England. Toodles, and have a great day!

Memories of Fridays Past

My friend Melissa sent me a cute email this week, remembering things from the 70s. It brought back many fond memories. Among the pictures was a pair of roller skates. It has stuck in my head all week.

On a Friday night 25 years ago, I would be looking forward to the night at the roller rink. We went regularly. I remember standing in line to rent my skates and being in such a rush to get them on. We'd got out and go round and round all night long. Us girls would skate around an hold hands. I'd try to sneak between people's legs (that is what happens when you're the runt!). Doing the limbo was so much fun. If my memory serves me correctly (Melissa, help me out here!), they played the Hokey Pokey while we did the limbo. I've included it below just for kicks. It really made me smile. The highlight of the night as we got older was a boy asking us to skate.

Years later, while I was in college, I sought out a roller rink to remember the good times. They were almost gone at that point. Now, many people don't remember them at all. I'm glad I do...

Yesterday a Rat, Today a Cat

My post yesterday was about Ratatouille. Today, I am featuring this completely adorable video. I received it as a part of NPR's All Songs Considered Blog. It is just too cute. In the blog, they mention that you can't understand a word of the song. I think that contributes to the cuteness.




Also new to the blog is My Blogroll (see the right-hand side under Contributors). This links to a few of the blogs/feeds I read every day. Hopefully you will enjoy them.

Ratatouille

Last night we watched the adorable movie, Ratatouille. The story is about Remy, a rat who is a chef at heart, and his adventure in Paris at a well-known restaurant. I loved the characters. Linguine is a hoot and Emile was amusing. The animation was fabulous. Some (Mike) may have a hard time digesting this foodie-movie since rats play a major role. I loved it!

Below is a look at the Ratatouille behind-the-scenes video, "Getting into Character" with screenwriter/director Brad Bird, character designer Greg Dykstra and other creators of the film.




For more Ratatouille videos online, see http://www.movieweb.com/search/?q=video&t=47&search=ratatouille&page=1

Countdown to Christmas

I know, I know! We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet and I am already talking about Christmas (16 days to Thanksgiving, BTW). But planning ahead and finding the "right" gift is a big part of my holiday shopping. If you are looking for a jump start, one of the places below might be a good starting point. And for anyone who is confused, this is not a lame attempt to insert ideas for my Christmas gifts :) They are random ideas for gifts for others!

Mighty Goods Budget Gifts

• Blossom Appetizer Plates

  

  I see a cocktail party in your future.

  $15 at CB2

  (for a set of six)

  Posted: 02 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Periodic Table Refrigerator Magnets

  

  You could use more Chemistry in your life.

  $10 at Think Geek

  Posted: 02 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Ukulele

  

  It’s important to teach the children about the comedic impact of a well-timed ukulele solo. Plus, think of the photos.

  $25 at NYBG Shop

  Posted: 02 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Urchin Votive

  

  Use it to replace the cliched hunk of coral on your shelf.

  $18 at Element Clay Studio

  Posted: 01 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Face Painting Kit

  

  Practice your rainbows and unicorns. There will be requests.

  $12 at Pottery Barn Kids

  Posted: 01 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Sharp Dressed Tie

  

  Tiny knife pattern looks sedate from afar. Particularly great gift for a chef or weekend cook. They also offer a silk version for $40.

  $30 at Cyber Optix

  Posted: 01 Nov, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Sky Slippers

  

  The kid can’t walk, but he can sit in style.

  $16 at Bella Sera Baby

  Posted: 31 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Think of When You Had None Money Clip

  

  Sage advice from your money clip.

  $24 at Individual Icons

  Posted: 31 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Nap Sac Travel Blanket

  

  This little pouch contains your travel blanket and an inflatable pillow. Remove the blanket, then zip the inflated pillow back into the bag/pillowcase. Comfy.

  $28 at Koie Products

  Posted: 31 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Sigg Thermos

  

  There are few things as pleasant as opening a thermos to find that your coffee is still toasty.

  $28 at Amazon

  Posted: 30 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Nerdling Onesie

  

  Just until they’re old enough for their own laptops.

  $16 at WilloToons

  Posted: 30 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Bacon Salt Sampler

  

  Bacon potatoes, bacon popcorn, bacon ice cream. There’s nothing in your way.

  $13 at BaconSalt.com

  Posted: 30 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Kids’ Gardening Set

  

  As long as they’re playing in the dirt, they might as well be doing something useful.

  $14 at Scandanavian Details

  Posted: 29 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Denyse Schmidt Dots & Jots Mini Journal Set

  

  A pretty, surprisingly high-quality notebook set for your favorite list maker. The individual journals are so compact and lightweight that they’re convenient to take along anywhere.

  $15 at Peek Keep

  Posted: 29 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection

  

  Robots rip on kitschy movie classics. This two-disc set includes Manos: The Hands of Fate and Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

  $20 at Amazon

  Posted: 29 Oct, 2007 by Margaret Mason

PC Magazine Wacky Gifts Under $50

1. For the Wannabe Surfer	2. For the Dehydrated Athlete	3. For the Neat-Freak Diva	4. For the Gadget Dork
5. For the Old-Fashioned Parents	6. For the Kid at Heart	7. For the Bored Geek	8. For the Ultimate Partier
9. For the Extremely Lazy	10. For the Shivering Co-Worker

Red Envelope Gift Guides

(Hostess Gifts shown here)

Quiet Day, Funny Ad

Well, I don't have much big news today. I have included this ad from the San Diego Zoo. Hope if makes you smile!

National Diabetes Month

November 1 marked the beginning of National Diabetes Month. Diabetes impacts almost 21 million Americans; another 54 million Americans are at risk. The estimated population in this country is about 303,270,000+ people. So that means almost 7% of Americans have already been diagnosed and another 18% are at risk. Add caregivers and loved ones to those statistics, and you have a significant portion of our country affected by this disease.

My family, like many others, has been affected by diabetes. Mike has had Type 1 Diabetes for almost 30 years. Type I diabetes accounts for between 5% and 10% of all diagnosed cases. He is regimented in his care and leads a healthy, happy life. I try to be as actively involved with his treatment as possible. His brother also had Type 1 diabetes. My grandmother has Type 2 Diabetes. While Type 2 was traditionally a disease of older Americans, the at-risk population has become children. Being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary (i.e., nonactive) lifestyle are major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, as is having a family history of the disease.

From the White House:

National Diabetes Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

Diabetes is a debilitating disease that affects millions of Americans of all ages and all walks of life. National Diabetes Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about risk factors, prevention, and treatment of this serious disease.

Diabetes is a chronic illness that leaves the body unable to produce or properly use insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The two most common forms of the disease that affect our citizens are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults who are unable to produce insulin and require daily medication. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is often attributed to lifestyle risk factors and can be controlled by a modified diet, regular physical activity, and medication. Americans can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease by maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits, and consulting with a doctor about diabetes testing.

My Administration is committed to providing better care for people living with diabetes and furthering efforts to find a cure. We have supported research initiatives and education programs that encourage healthy living, and we have also modified Medicare coverage to include diabetes screenings. This year, the National Institutes of Health estimates that more than $1 billion will be spent on diabetes research. By working together, we can help identify problems early, manage them before they grow worse, and help ensure more Americans live longer, healthier lives.

Throughout National Diabetes Month, we recognize the medical professionals, scientists, researchers, and all those whose efforts have made a positive difference in the fight against diabetes. By raising public awareness, we can help combat the effects of diabetes in our society and bring hope to children and families living with this disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2007 as National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the risk factors and symptoms associated with diabetes and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

According to the American Diabetes Association, the month focuses on the different faces of diabetes:

Caregivers – Week 1
Supporting a loved one with diabetes can present its own unique challenges.

• If you or someone you care for has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you are no doubt experiencing a range of emotions. There are resources to help the newly diagnosed people.
• When your child is diagnosed with diabetes, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information you're given. Find resources to get the information you need
  

Employees – Week 2
Promoting healthy lifestyles in the workplace can help to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, saving companies thousands of dollars a year.

• With employees spending more than one-third of their day on the job, corporate America is in a unique position to bring even greater attention to this public health issue…and to be part of the solution.
• Show your support in the fight against diabetes at work. Find out more about I Decide to Fight Diabetes.
  

Diabetes around the world – Week 3
Worldwide over 246 million people have diabetes. By 2020, that number is expected to rise to 380 million. In December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year on November 14 starting in 2007. The ADA is a proud supporter of the UN Resolution.

Show your support and purchase unite for diabetes pins here.
Purchases are through the International Diabetes Federation and prices are in Euros.

At-risk populations – Week 4
One in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if current trends continue.

• Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. For example, one in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.
• Approximately 2.5 million Hispanic/Latino Americans over the age of 20 have diabetes and are at increased risk for serious complications such as kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.
• At 17%, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among all U.S. racial and ethnic groups.
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with diabetes are at high risk for heart disease.
  

Youth and Type 1 Diabetes – Week 5
Youth with type 1 diabetes have the most urgent need for care.

• One in 400 children has type 1 diabetes. Here is information they can use.
• Coming Soon – Explore! Discover! Connect! The New Planet D launches in November.
  

If you do not know about Diabetes, its causes, symptoms, and treatment, I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about the disease. It may one day affect you or a loved one.

All Saints Day

Today has been a day of reflection for us. We attended an All Saints Mass this morning at Saint John's Catholic High School. The mass was held for All Saints Month, and recognized alumni who had passed away in the last year. Mike's father was an alum of the class of '54 and was devoted to the school. Both Mike and his brother, Brett, attended St. John's as well.

The mass was a family event. Connor and Fiona behaved quite well for not-quite-3 year olds. The mass itself was attended by all students, teachers, some families, and families of the deceased alumni. It was done beautifully.

During the homily, the priest talked about a bumper sticker he saw in traffic one day. It said: "When power of love overcomes the love of power the world will be at peace." I thought it was very interesting. His message of the love of saints and of the departed was touching to all.

The photo at the top of today's post was taken last summer at Fenway Park (home to the Red Sox). Mike's father was a huge Sox fan. We miss him very deeply.